Banks in Asia have benefited from the increased demand for banking services, propelling loan growth by 17.7%YoY in 2011. In this issue, The Asian Banker examines the unique and best-in-class approach to determining bank strength and profiles banking systems across 14 countries.

Despite the positive growth shown by the collective banking industry in the region, dark clouds loom in the horizon, with mounting uncertainties over global economic prospects, especially in the EU, while domestic inflationary pressures in China and India have dimmed the immediate outlook in Asia.

Also featured is an interview with Koichi Miyata, president of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Japan’s third largest financial holding company. Miyata shares the painful lessons learnt by Japanese banks during the country’s banking crisis in the 1990s and the importance of a strong financial base for its plan for growth in the region.

Issue 114:

• Sumitomo Mitsui in a strong position to expand into the global banking scene
• Big trade needs big data
• Defining great customer experience by connecting Asia and North America
• Asset growth doubles
  o List of Asia Pacific’s largest banks
  o The region’s largest banks
  o The largest banks in South and Southeast Asia
  o Performance rankings
  o List of Asia Pacific’s strongest banks
  o Country capsules
• Innovating for growth
• Standard Chartered is the strongest banks in Asia Pacific